As other members enjoy individual skills of the mind and body…Carrie has yet to acquire her skill—her magic.
Although disheartening, her lack of magic is not Carrie’s primary concern. Many years before, the treacherous actions of the Society’s Council led to the separation of Carrie and the object she valued above all else—Charlie.
The decades passed, leaving Carrie unaged, but changing the views and minds of those of the Council. When Carrie’s plea to collect him is finally obliged, even a militia of angry immortals will not keep her from finally rescuing him.
The adventure sends Carrie and her immortal friends on a dangerous quest. With her eternal happiness at stake, Carrie will leverage everything to reclaim what has been taken from her, but is she too late?
When dark secrets and enemies are revealed, only then will Carrie learn the identity of her gift…her magic. It has been lurking within her…aching for the opportunity to be unleashed.
Chapter 1
Their voices, crisp as the autumn air filling his lungs, soothed his soul—their boisterous praise cut through the slight gusts of wind and chattering birds.
With guides on either side assisting his balance and maintaining his stability, he walked blindly toward the cheerful singing.
As always, there were no faces; no shapes or shadows.
“Happy birthday to you! Haaappy birthday to you! Happy Birthday dear, Charlie…happy birthday to you!”
Heavy clapping had him taking the hand of one of the assistants, grasping it appreciatively. Today was his day.
“Charlie, we’re going to help you to your chair over here and then we’re going to help you blow out all eighty-eight candles on this cake.”
Shuffling over the foliage, the smell of fallen leaves was quickly overpowered by sweet icing and a freshly baked cake.
Securely seated in his chair, he offered his audience a smile—assuming they were either smiling back or ignoring him.
“What’s your wish going to be this year, Charlie?” The cool palm of her hand cupped his face—comforting and soft.
“I have all I need. Thank you.”
“What then, do you want this year?”
Flooding and rampant, the thoughts poured thickly over him—so much—too much. “I’m tired. I wish to rest.”
“Right now? You want to rest right now?” The voice to his right was Jessica’s, a sweet caretaker from the home.
“No, Jessica. Right now, I’d like a piece of that cake you all have for me.”
“You heard the man, let’s not keep him waiting.”
Forks on porcelain and talk of something called Pinterest had him longing for the impromptu celebration to cease so that he might retire to a cool quilt and frumpy lounging attire.
Cake consumed and small talk had, he made his way across the yard on the arm of Jessica.
Thick and warm, the familiar scents of the nursing home were a stark difference to the fresh fall breeze outdoors. Down the hall, he made his way, past the mindless ramblings of Minerva Hopkins. Past the broadcasts of Fox News and CNN—and to his own piece of the universe. Escorted to his rocking chair, he thanked his attendant and sent her on her way.
The sweetest moments of the day were those spent drifting to daydreams. It’d been decades since he’d lost his eyesight, yet when he dreamt, each color was vividly stunning—each scene a perfectly orchestrated memory from another world.
Sounds of the hallway—medication rounds and the corralling of Minerva, chased his slumber—leaving him rocking and irritated.
Eighty-eight years...and for what? Even Minerva had visitors on Sundays—busy grandchildren with poor manners. He had nothing. There were no visitors, no framed faces for him to reference. There were no long-winded tales of younger years that he could reminisce on. There was only his chair, his dreams, and the comfort of knowing that he was organic in nature, and would soon drift eternally.
Certainly, there would be no cake for him next year, but rather a memorial brick with his name on it near the large pond the other residents spoke of and were so fond of.
Extraneous cruelty would be walking into yet another worthless year’s celebration. No more birthdays…enough. Surely, an old man can rest—dream and be left in peace indefinitely.
His quilt to his chest, the chair rocked softer. His head tilted backward, he envisioned he were eleven and leisurely swaying with the winds from a tire swing—and then he was fading.
“Mr. Jacobson?” The gruff voice was Tony’s, and but two feet from him. “Charlie it’s time to get in bed. I have your stuff ready for you if you wanna—”
“You wake me up so I can sleep? You idiot!”
“We’ve had this discussion, Jacobson. You sleep in your bed through the night. I don’t make the rules I just follow them.”
His nightly routine typically left him feeling undignified and helpless. Finally dressed in comfortable, loose-fitting sweats, he pulled his comforter to his chin.
“You want this light on or off, sir?”
A deep sigh and he was turning from his back to Tony. “You seriously are a moron. Get the hell out of my room before my foot makes its way right up your backside.”
“Goodnight, Jacobson.”
Morning was typically announced by cardinals just outside the floor-level window, or Minerva, screeching for buttermilk and a bus ticket.
Inhaling deeply through his nostrils, he searched his thoughts mercilessly for some fragment of a nightly venture during his slumber—no dreams were there to recollect.
“Damn you…damn everything.” Wiping his tired eyes, he found himself angry…chronically angry for waking up each morning to nothingness.
The day would be long—just like the day before it and the day before it. The frustrations associated with longing to be free of it all and having the ability to fade away just out of reach was disheartening.
Once more, he maneuvered free from his bedding—feet to the cold floor—he found his house shoes, and cautiously made his way back to the chair. If there were no dreams to recall, perhaps he could have a few moments of serenity to shake the night from his bones and enjoy the cardinals.
“Hey there, Charlie! How are you this morning?” Jessica’s voice sliced through the atmosphere, startling him just as he reached his chair.
“I’m fine. I’m going to sit a spell and—”
“Oh no, you silly goose. We’ve got walking to do, and breakfast to eat, and fellowship at nine and then some sweet junior-high girls are coming all the way from—”
“I don’t care!” The force of his grasp on the back of the chair had his fingers aching. “I…I don’t care about any of that right now, Jessica. Right now, I’d like you to leave me be.”
“Well aren’t we just a grumpy Gus? Where are your walking shoes, boy? Do you need to use the bedside commode before we walk? Two rounds today…I know you can do it. Just let me grab your cane.”
Chapter 2
Poised and statuesque, she stood among the trees outside the entrance of Evrastill. The light above her tickled the ground below, only fragments penetrated through the thick branches.
No grand grates or elaborate fixtures surrounded the entrance to the Kingdom. A society of secrecy, the tunneled opening to the mountain was humble in appearance.
For hours, she’d stood anchored, awaiting the Council’s decision. Surely with the upheaval and recent scandal amongst Council leadership, her request would be approved—she asked for nothing more than other society members possessed currently.
Rustling in the foliage captured her peripheral gaze. A small squirrel scurried cautiously about the forest floor until it reached her feet and then up her body—sitting on her shoulder, it removed the nut from its cheek and consumed it carelessly from the safety of her watch.
She paid little attention to its actions—her mind consumed with the situation at hand. Would her eternity be blissful—all she’d ever begged for, or would she remain hollow and wandering ever-after?
“Nyrobie, I felt you on my thoughts.”
Nyrobie appeared from the cave’s entrance and walked to Carrie.
“I didn’t mean to intrude. You had me concerned.”
“You’re my truest friend, Nyrobie. I’ve nothing to hide, my thoughts are yours to examine as you see fit.”
Facing her, Carrie noticed an uncontrollable smile curling the lips of her friend. Nyrobie pushed one of the many small, waist-long, black, braids behind her ear.
“Tell me, Nyrobie, have you been meddling in the minds of other members today?”
“Perhaps.”
“Nyrobie!”
A full smile cascaded across Nyrobie’s face, her dark complexion speckled with bits of sunlight from above. “The Council will approve your request, my friend.”
The squirrel clung tightly to her shoulder as Carrie reached for a nearby tree, supporting herself as she stared toward the ground. “You’re certain? Full approval?”
“It shall be unanimous. They’ll summon you shortly. Attempt to appear surprised.”
“Nyrobie…” Carrie extended her arms, embracing her friend as tears fled her eyes. “All this time…I’ve been waiting…all I want is my right to happiness.”
The squirrel continued nibbling from Carrie’s shoulder as they embraced.
“I know, Carrie. Let’s go get it.”
“You will be with me, Nyrobie?” She gently pushed away, examining her expression.
Nyrobie’s eyes widened as her head cocked and lowered. “I’m always with you. I’ll be with you a million years from now.”
“It may be dangerous. We’ll be so far from Evrastill, far from the Society—”
“Away from Evrastill and the Society? I’m completely sold. And I get to help my best friend obtain something as infinite as time.”
“I love you, Nyrobie.”
“And I you, Carrie. Let’s go. Councilman Aglet shall summon you momentarily.”
Carrie gently placed the chubby squirrel on the ground and followed Nyrobie into Evrastill’s entrance. The average human eye might enter the cave and look upon a damp and dangerous dwelling—nothing worth more than a curious glance prior to exiting.
Typically, any human entering Evrastill did so accompanied by a Society member. Thrill-seeking, cave-exploring humans were rarely heard of—and in the history of Evrastill, only three of them had been rescued by Society members before they perished in the vast underground system.
Deep within the mountain, the faint-blue glow of millions of crystals embedded in the mountain’s inner walls lit the path as Carrie and Nyrobie continued toward their home. The closer they got, the brighter the ambience became.
Exiting the tunnel, they looked down on the small kingdom…Evrastill…or to some, sanctuary. The Kingdom was comparable to the size of a small Midwestern town. The population was 3,776, and had been for decades.
The light cascading from the mountains’ inner walls allowed for vegetation and several streams flowed from walls and around the trees and modest stone-comprised homes.
They made their way down the stairs etched in the wall’s side until their feet met lush, green grass.
“There you two are.”
“Jerrek.” Nyrobie’s arms lifted, welcoming the approaching Jerrek’s embrace and kiss. Jerrek too, was a loyal friend. He and Nyrobie had been joined seventy-six years prior—their bond was as solid as the mountain around them.
Tall, broad, and muscular, Jerrek’s gifts were impressive. The ability to lift a one-thousand-pound boulder with one’s physical being was something most any member the Society could achieve—Jerrek had mastered the ability to do such wonders with his mind. His strength and loyalty secured his place as a future councilman within the Society.
“I hear you’ve been summoned, Carrie.” Jerrek stepped to Carrie, offering her a friendly kiss on the cheek.
“Indeed, I have, Jerrek.”
“Splendid. I’ve been wanting to venture out for something other than solitude.”
Carrie looked to her friends—both side-by-side. “Jerrek…you will accompany us?”
His boisterous laugh had his head flailing backward. “You ask silly things, Carrie. Next to Nyrobie and my parents, you are my dearest friend. You think what, you and my bride should leave Evrastill on an epic adventure while I wait here for your return? Besides…he’s my friend too. I’m going.”
“Thank you, Jerrek!” Carrie embraced him.
“Enough you two. If a Council informant sees your actions they might know I’ve pried into Aglet’s thoughts.”
As they decoupled, Jerrek lifted Nyrobie in his arms, cradling her like a child. “You’re a fool to think he doesn’t know already. The man has been breathing for nearly four-thousand years. I’m sure he’s well aware when his ideas are accessed.”
Setting Nyrobie down, he kissed her atop the head. “As well, I’m sure he was expecting it.”
“Aglet is kind, Nyrobie. The current Council Leadership will reunite our kingdom.”
“I’m sure, Carrie. Let’s hope that Aglet is kind when you stand before him. Here comes his assistant to fetch you now.” Nyrobie smiled as the three of them began walking in the direction of the Council-Hall. The building was the pinnacle of the Society. It stood as the place of judgment, union among Society members, and more recently it housed the heated evisceration of the Council.
For centuries, the Council was comprised of twelve elders—all of which were set on maintaining and enforcing a stringent code of existence on Society members.
Carrie embraced the majority of her kingdom’s laws. Many of their beliefs acted as a cornerstone for their very being. Some beliefs, however, were as archaic as the Kingdom itself.
Walking into the solid-white ivory Council Hall, she controlled her pace—her head held high as she was escorted in front of the elders. No Society member could sit on the Council prior to his or her one-thousandth year. However, by human standards, none of the Council members appeared any older than Carrie.
She stood in front of the twelve members, all robed and seated behind the historic ivory-white table.
“Carrie, my dear. You’re well?” Councilman Aglet stood. Piercing-blue eyes and shoulder-length blonde hair gave him an intimidating appearance which demanded respect.
“I am, Councilman.”
“Good. We shall proceed.” He took his seat. “For centuries, our society has existed in peace and harmony beneath the war-torn world belonging to mankind. Their cruelty is evident in bounds. Our Society has prospered, not because we have coexisted, but because we have so staunchly opposed that.”
His words had Carrie’s heart racing, believing the Council would indeed deny her request.
“Through the years our values have kept our people grounded and gracious for the gifts we’ve been given. As well, we have learned through our attempts to protect the human species, that their people aren’t entirely cruel. In fact, along with sharing similarities in physical features, our people share many of other qualities as well. Our society must understand that the average human enjoys a brief life, and during that life, they are young and viable for but a brief portion. It is impossible, by our standards, for humans to gain the maturity and knowledge needed to become anything more on an individual level in such a fleeting stretch of time. This, however, is not about that…not entirely. This is about a cultural shift taking place within our society. Each of our unified members are unified only because they are bound by something no words can accurately portray. Once unified, those couples are by one another’s side indefinitely. Carrie, if you would have come to this council one-thousand years ago, claiming to have not only bonded to a human, but asking permission to comingle and unify…you would have been executed. Even a year ago, you’d have been laughed out of the Hall.”
He smiled at her, her respirations slowed.
“But as we move forward and advance, we must look at these situations individu
ally. Carrie, you have proven yourself of a sound mind and a genuine asset to the Society. Without further delay, Carrie, do you understand completely what you are asking of the Council?”
Her dry throat was nearly incapable of producing the words, “I do.”
“You understand that a union of such will be forever lacking reproduction?”
“I do.”
“You understand that this human will be expected to follow the laws of the Society, just as a member would, and will be held so accountable?”
“I do.”
“You understand this human may never leave Evrastill once he enters.”
“Yes, Councilman.”
“Carrie, it has been decided by the Council that your request is to be granted in full. You may leave Evrastill with an experienced party of your choosing, collect your human, restore him, and bring him back to Evrastill where he will be offered immortality…and when you are ready…you will be unified.”
No longer able to maintain her composure, she kneeled to the floor, her trembling hand covering her mouth as her gaze remained downward.
“You will be held personally responsible for this mission, Carrie. Should anything go array, you will stand before us again.”
She only nodded—her voice had escaped her as her tears continued.
“You will be the second Society member to make such a request, Carrie. Councilman Andre can attest that such a union has worked well in his favor.”
Carrie looked to Andre as she arose. He merely nodded. Councilman Andre was a monumental influence on the movement within the Society to replace several Council members. He was also the first to become unified with a human…Elinor, a woman he rescued from the surrounding tunnels nearly 186 years prior. Elinor, Joseph, and Clark were teens when they were rescued and imprisoned for nearly fifty years until they were finally offered sanctuary within the Society. They were initially shunned as they possessed no extraordinary skills, but because humans do not age within Evrastill, the Society eventually accepted them after nearly one hundred years. It was obvious that Andre had bonded to Elinor even while she was imprisoned. Now they were unified, and his pioneering efforts had made it possible for Carrie to do the same.
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